Monday, May 18, 2009

SHRI MAHAPRABHUJI AND HIS ANCESTORS

The ancestors of Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji (Shri Mahaprabhuji), Shri Gusaiji and Shri Gokuleshji were orginated from town called Kankar Pallu (Kankerwad), of the South of the Krishna rever, near the mountain called yom Stambh, in South India, Where they resided for a long . By tradition they were pure Velnadu. (Velanati) brahmains following with the Vishnu faith. They were attached to the Krishna Yajurveda branch and Teitarriya branch and were descendents in the Bharadwaj Gotra (family line) and the deity of their family was Renuka.

The chief person of the family was Shri Govindacharya. Shri Vallabh Dikshit followed him and Shri Yagnanarayana Bhatt followed Shri Vallabh dikshit in the tradition. Following the tradition of the familly he observed celibacy for many years and then married to Narmada, a daughter of a brahmina called Sudharma of Devapur. Yaganarayana Bhatt had special affection to receive an almupt visitor with warm heart. Once a detached teacher called Bilvamangal of Dravida region happened to drop in to his place as an abrupt visitor. Yagnanarayana prayed to him to show him the way by which he would have in his heart devotion to god. That teacher blessed him with the Gopal Mantra. And also commanded him to perform the Soma Yagna. Hence Yagnanarayan commenced the Yagna. At the beginning of the rituals Shri Purushottam Himself appeared from among the alter ablaze with fire in the form of Shri Madanmohanji and blessed him with promise that He will be born as incarnation of Shri Purushottam (God) Himself in his family on the completion of the hundredth Yagna.

Yagnanarayan Bhatt then, could accomplish thirty four Yagnas during his life span. It is said that whenever he was Congronted with any doubt or difficulty about the Veda, he used to go to the river., take bath and then performed meditation of the Veda. At that time Lord Veda appeared before him in his usual form personally and cleared his doubts. Hence , he is also known as the incarnation of the Veda . once some disillusioned brahmins thought of testing Him. . They brought a buffalo and challenged him that they would approve him as the incarnation of the Veda only if he proved his effediency by preaching the Veda to the buffalo. At this Yagnanarayan asked the buffalo to utter stanzas from the Veda. On hearing it, the buffalo’s mind is illuminated with the knowledge of the Veda and it replied all the questions raised by all.


Yagnanarayan had a son called Gangadhar. He was married to Kachi, a daughter of Chitdrumal of Bonipur. He performed other twenty eight “Soma Yagnas” He also wrote a book exposing the secrets of the Scriputres, Poorva Mimansa and Uttar Mimansa. He is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Once multiple streams of the holy Ganga were seen to be emerging out of his hair.
Gangadhar Bhatt had a son called Ganapat Bhatt. He is known as the incarnation of Lord Ganesh. He was married to Ambica , A daughter of brahmin called Keshav of South Mathura. He performed thirty “Soma Yagnas”. He travelled across the southern region of India with many disciples and won the scholarly discourses against Shaktas , scholars following the Shakta sect and Tantrikas, scholars following the Tantra Sect.

He wrote a book called "Swatantra Nigrah". Besides Ambica, Ganapat Bhatt had two other wives. Each of his wives gave birth to three children each and thus he had in all nine sons. The eldest of his sons born of the eldest of his wives was Vallabh Bhatt. He was married to Poorna, a daughter of Kashinath of Dharmapuri. He was an excellent scholar and earned the fame as "Dash Granthi" by deliverint number of discourses on the Dash Granth. He performed five Soma Yagnas. He wrote a book called Bhaktideep. He is known to be the incarnation of Lord Soorya (Sun). He also proved his power of the sun by showing people a midday at the morning hour.

Vallabh Bhatt had two sons: Lakshman Bhatt and Janardan Bhatt. Of the two, Lakshman Bhatt was a bright scholar. He was considered as the incarnation of the Akshar Brahma, the Eternal soul and Lord Shiva himself. Laxman Bhatt was married to Yallamagaru (Illamagaru), a daughter of Susharma, the royal priest to the king of Vidyanagar. Hence, Laxman Bhatt went and resided at a town called Agrahar. At his family house, were born a son, Ramakrishna and two daughters, Saraswati and Subhadra. He performed five Soma Yagnas. In this manner a course of one hundred Soma Yagnas initiated by Yagnanarayan Bhatt and carried on thenafter by his descendents was accomplished at the hands of Shri Lakshman Bhattji in his time. The last Soma Yagna was accomplished on the nineth day of the bright half of the Chaitra month in V.S. 1532. At the conclusion (Completion ) of the Yagna, there emerged from the alter a Supernatural utterance addressing to Lakshman Bhatt: "At your auspicious family (house), Lord Poorna Purushottam himself will descend by birth". At that time, Lakshman Bhatt took a vow to offer dinner to one Lakh twenty five thousand brahmins at Kashi. Then Lord Poorna Purushottam descendend in the Bhatt family in the form of Shri Vallabh and, thus fulfilled the promise he had granted to Yagnanarayan Bhatt. He was known on the earth by the name of Shri Vallabhacharyaji - Shri Mahaprabhuji. His marriage was held in V.S. 1556 with Shri Mahalaxmiji, a daughter od Deven Bhatt of Kashi. Shri Vallabhcharyaji had two sons : Shri Gopinathji who is believed to be the incarnation of Shri Baladevji, and Shri Gusaiji, who is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vitthalnathji of Pandharpur. At this great, scholarly, renowned and pious family, Shri Gokuleshji was born at one hour and fifty six minutes at midnight, on Thursday, on the seventh day of the bright half of the Magashar month in 1552. The season was Hemant, a part of winter, when the sun was soaring southward. According to astrology , the time was the Poorva Nakshatra when the moon was in the Zodiac and the Lagna was Mithun. The year was V.S. 1608 and 1473 of the Shaka calandar. The age was the Kali, the fourth one, the 28th of the Veiswat Manvantar, in Shweta varan Kalpa, in the second half of the Brhma year.

In the fifteenth century of Vikram Era a great man was born. He became famous as Jagadguru Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji. The ancestor of His Holiness was Yagnanarayan Bhatt. Who belonged to Velnadu of Andhra province. He was a Brahmin by caste and was very learned. He began performing "Som Yagna".

Once the Lord of Lords, the Bhagawan Himself came out from the altar and gave him a boon. He emphatically declared that when the 100th Yagna would be finished, he would appear again at his place.

Thus from Yagnanarayan Bhatt to Gangadhar Bhatt, Ganapati Bhatt, Vallabh Bhatt and his son Laxman Bhatt, 100th "Som Yagna" was completed. Then in V.S. 1535 Shri Vallabhacharyaji was born fulfilling the promise given by the Bhagawan, His Holiness Established the Shuddhadwait Pushtimarg.
His Holiness had two sons. Shri Gopinathji and Shri Vitthalnathji (Shri Gunsaiji). Shri Gopinathji had one son named Shri Purushottamji. Shri Vitthalnathji had seven sons and four daughters. They were Shri Girdharji, Shri Govindraiji, Shri Balkrishnaji, Shri Gokuleshji, Shri Raghunathji, Shri Yadunathji, Shri Ghanshyamji and four daughters named Shri Shobhabetiji, Shri Kamlabetiji, Shri Yamunabetiji and Shri Devakabetiji.

BIRTH OF SHRI GOKULESHJI

Shri Vitthalnathji went to Jatipura after celebrating Rathyatra utsav. At the time of departure for Jatipura (near Mathura) he told to his daughter Shobhabetiji that supernatural and divine child would be born so perform Arati. Shri Gokuleshji the fourth son of Shri Vitthalnathji was born at Adel (near Prayag) on the seventh day of the bright half of the month Magsara in V.S. 1608 (1512 A.D.)

At that time Shobhabetiji performed Arati. The disciple of Shri Vallabhacharyaji named Krishnadasi was present there. She told delightfully "Mera Gokulnath Aya" This was the day of ecstasy for all the people of Adel. A messenger was sent to Jatipura.

The messenger reached Jatipura on foot after several days to convey this auspicious information to Shri Vitthalnathji. He broke this auspicious news to Shri Vitthalnathji. Hearing this happy news Shri Vitthalnathji was very much pleased and he at once took out the precious pearl "necklace" from his neck and gave it as present to the messenger for bringing auspicious news.
After that the same auspicious news was given to Shri Goverdhandharan, Shrinathjibava. Hearing this auspicious news Shri Goverdhandharan became very happy and told him what he would give to him as a present. Then Shri Vitthalnathji said "The Lord ! you are all in all to me. Whatever I have is your's I will give to your Lordship whatever your holiness wishes to have from me".
Then Shri Goverdhandharan asked for the precious golden bangles (kada) worn by him with love and affection he took out these kada from his hands and gave them to the lord. He then took his leave for going to Adel.

SHRI GOKULESHJI'S BIRTH

Meantime all his disciples came there and began to shout this auspicious information and with great pleasure and merriment they celebrated this festival of Joy (Nand Mahotsava).

Chhati Prastav:

The auspicious sixth day of Birth was celebrated on the 12th day of the bright half of the month Magasara. The auspicious day was Wednesday and on the second day of the dark half of the Posha - Monday the 12th day of Shri Gokuleshji's birth was celebrated.Asu. Rukmani Vahuji Rocking in a Cradle:

In a few days Shri Vitthalnathji came to Adel. There his Holiness at once visited the harem (janana). At that time mother Rukmani Vahuji was rocking here beloved son in a cradle. Shri Vitthalnathji was very much pleased to see this child.

The Naming Ceremony:

Shri Vitthalnathji himself chose the name "Shri Vallabh" for addressing. In the horoscope the child was given the name Shri Krishna, but he became more popular by the name Shri Gokuleshji.

ANNAPRASHAN

Food Eating Ceremony:

On the ninth day of the bright half of the month Jehta in V.S. 1609 the food eating ceremony (Annaprashan) was celebrated. Generally by the childish gestures the prophecy of the child will turn out is prophesied by the childish pranks and gestures. After the completion of the food eating ceremony (Annaprashan) some toys, Shrimad Bhagavata and Tulsi Kanthi were put before the child. Shri Gokuleshji walked on all fours (Crawled) and came to the book of Bhagavata and Tulsi Kanthi taking, Tulsi kanthi in one hand & putted the other hand on Shrimand Bhagavat. Inspite of so many beautiful attractive toys Shri Gokuleshji put his hands on Tulsi Kanthi (mala) as well as Bhagavata. Seeing those gestures Shri Vitthalnathji declared as a prophecy that the child would protect Bhagavat Dharma (Veda-Dharma) as well as Mala-Tilak in future. He would be protector of these two.

Childhood of Shri Gokuleshji:

Shri Gokuleshji was very fond of cows. In his childhood he used to go to gaushala (the cowshed) and play with the small calves and heifers (he calf and she calf) and coax the cow with love and affection. He was very fond of sports and games. He had great interest in the games and sports like hide and seek, blind man's buff, playing with small sticks, exercise, the royal game of dice, chess, horse riding, swimming etc.


YAGNOPAVIT OF SHRI GOKULESH

The Sacred thread ceremony:

In the bright half of the month Magsara V.S. 1612, he was taught the alphabets. Vitthalnathji wrote some letters by his ring. This was the auspicious beginning of learning some letters. He was made to write Ka, Kha, Ga, Gha, three times and that was repeatedly done.

When Gokuleshji was seven years old, the sacred thread ceremony was performed by Dravida Upadhayaji Shri Purushottam Bhattji on the sixth day of the bright half of the month Chaitra, (Friday) in V.S. 1615. The initiation ceremony of Gayatri mantra and Brahamsambandh mantra was given by his father Shri Vitthalnathji.


Shri Gokuleshji's study was started. Shri Vitthalnathji engaged a teacher named Narayan Upadhya from Karnataka. He was well versed in Vedas. Within a short period Shri Gokuleshji studied Amarkosh, Panini Astadhyayi, Grammer, Nyaya, Shruti, Smruti, Puranas, Mimansa, Upanishadas, History, Poetry etc.

In V.S. 1623 Shri Vitthalnathji was living in "satghara" with his family. Shri Gokuleshji used to visit a learned Shivbhatt's house for the further study of scriptures.
Father Shri Vitthalnathji made Shri Gokuleshji study Shrimad Bhagavat, Subodhiniji, Shodash Grantha, Anubhashy and other religious scriptures written by Shri Vallabhacharyaji. And made a deep study to those scriptures. At the young age of ten Shri Gokuleshji was able to make detailed exposition of the meaning of the five shlokas of the Yamunastaka. Seeing this sharp and subtleintellect, Shri Vitthalnathji was very much pleased and he did the detailed explanation of one and a half shloka. He allowed Shri Gokuleshji to go further in the critical study of Yamunastaka. In this way the writing work of the review of the Yamunastaka was started by Shri Gokuleshji. Over and above these, there is Sanskrit literature independent criticisms on Bhagavat and the same on Subodhiniji. 16 religious comments (Shodash-Grantha) ,Yamunastaka, Pushtipravah Maryada, Siddhant-Rahasya, Antahkaran Prabodh, Bhaktivardhini, Sanyas Nirnaya. The learned criticisms all done lucidly on these various subject : The explanation on Gadya Mantra, Gupt Ras Tika and small explanation on Sarvottam Stotra which contains 40 shlokes. There is a big explanation on Sarvottam Stotra which has 1200 shlokas (unavailable), Independent explanation on Venugeet, Vaishnavite characteristics, Bhav Rasayan Ekadashi. There is a definition of Asmatkul Nishakalankam. There is a explanation on Shri Vallabhastaka. He has written the book by the name of Sar Sangrah with scriptural authority of Veda on Mala-Tilak.

Shri Gokuleshji is a protector and savior of Pushtimarg. He was considered as the incarnation of Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji. Gopaldasji the disciple of Shri Vitthalnathji has given a great attribute to Shri Gokuleshji in "Vallabhakhyan" in the following words : "Shri Gokulpati ati gunnidhi re Tat tano pratibimb re rasana". Shri Gokuleshji is highly intelligent and possess divine interest. He is really a true knower of Vedshastra. He is a world teacher.

He was expert in human psychology too. He has tried to show the eleven kinds of mental attitudes and explained us which kind of mental attitude is congenial to cultivate devotional heart. So outstanding was his personality that he has been considered the third great leader of pushtimarg by his followers.

Shri Gokuleshji has made use of Vraj Bhasha just to make the principle of his own path is easy to the vaishnavas who do not know the Sanskrit language. He is known as the father of prose literature in Vraj Bhasha. He used to explain very lucidly the salient principles of pushtimarg through table talks. The book of his table talks is very big. Table talks the number of which is said to have been nearly fifteen thousand. A small part of these have been published. There are many books written in Vraj Bhasha by Shri Gokuleshji as : The Story of 84 Vaishnavas who were the disciples of Shri Mahaprabhuji and Shri Vitthalnathji the story of 252 Vaishnavas, Shri Vallabhacharyaji's - Nijvarta, House hold stories (Gharu Varta), The history of Bethaks (Bethak- Charitra), The sentiments behind all the festivals (Utsav Bhavana), Instructions for daily devotional service (Nitya Seva Bhavana).

His nature was very jolly and witty. There are many anecdotes of his wit and humor. They are published in a book form. He used to explain the principles of Pushtimarg by narrating humorous incidents.

JANMASTAMI NIRNAYA

In V.S. 1623 Akbar Badshah, Raja Todermal, Birbal and others went to Mathura to celebrate the Janmastami festival. Having seen Birbal chewing betel leaf the Emperor Akbar asked him "why are you chewing betel leaf on Janmastami Day ? (Pan-bidas are prohibited on any fasting day). He further said we have observed Janmastami festival yesterday, as per the decision of pandits. "The emperor said that his Guru Shri Vitthalnathji had observed the festival of Janmastami today . He will not take any decision haphazardly (without thinking).

Badshah called the meeting of pandits to discuss about the decision of Janmastami. It was held at Kamalkar Bhatt's house. Vitthalnathji was invited to attend the meeting. On that day he was at Jatipura Girdharji and Gokuleshji attended the meeting with Damodardas, the great Brahmin Vaishnav Pandit of Vadnagar. In the meeting Damodardas beautifully discussed the matters regarding the decision of Janmastami With pratodh Saraswati. He proved the principle citing authorities of scriptures regarding the rules of observation about Janmastami, when vitthalnathji came to Mathura, he was very much pleased to know about all accounts of the meeting and he published the book named Janmastami Nirnaya.

MARRIAGE CEREMONY

In V.S. 1624 Shri Gokuleshji married to a daughter of Venabhattji resident of Mathura. Shri Gokuleshji's wife had three daughters. Shri Vitthalnathji had a keen desire to see Gokuleshji's son. So he told Gokuleshji for a second marriage. But Shri Gokuleshji refused to do so and said that he would be unhappy by his second marriage. To his mind daughter and son were the same. By the grace of God and blessings of his father Gokuleshji's wife Parvati Vahuji gave birth to three sons.

His wife Parvati Vahuji was a very serviceable lady. She was very expert in culinary arts, drawing, sewing etc. She was clever in many fine arts and she used to utilize these arts in the devotional service of Shri Thakurji.
We get glimpse of her art of drawing in the picture of the "Arati" of SULTANPAT.

TOUR OF GUJARAT

On the ninth day, month of Chaitra in the year 1646 on the auspicious day of Ramnavami, Gokuleshji visited Gujarat for the propagation of the religion. This was the beginning of his devotional propaganda. He visited following places :- Modasa, Savli, Kheralu, Vadnagar, Bhadardu, Langhan, Savaj, Aroda, Khilor, Asarva , Viramgam, Dangdar (Halar Dist.), Panchsar, Dwarka, Khadkhambhalia, Rajkot, Navanagar, Khambhalia, Babra, Kude, Patan, SIddhpur, Mehsana, Saidpur, Mahudha, Nadiyad, Sojitra, Khambhat, Ankleshwar, Surat, Vyara, Vadgam, Nandarbar, Tapipur, Lamgadh, Devalpur, By completing the tour of Gujarat he went to Gokul via Ujjain.

MALA TILAK

In V.S. 1671 Mogul emperor Jahangir left Agra and reached Dahod-Zalod in the Panchmahal District. There was a forest , near that place there were elephants. He wished to hunt elephants. So he engaged several chief Rajput princes with him. When the emperor Jahangir with his retinue. Came to Ujjain. The Rajput sing the praises of chidrup. They were lionized by his powers and breathed a wish to see him personally. He went inside the cave where Chidrap was living.
The emperor bowed to him, Then emperor expressed his desire to see his supernatural achievements. Chidrup used his devilish supernatural achievements. Chidrup used his devilish supernatural-powers and the cave became effulgent with light. The emperor was pleased to see this phenomena and spoke he would be ready to give anything that Babaji would ask for. Then Childrup replied that he was selfless and had no desire for anything. He simply asked for his help in one religious work, and added that his emperor and his subject would get some benefit if the emperor would be helpful by his good office. He ventilated his grievance by saying that many people put on mala and make Tilak on their forehead, which were against religious scriptures. He told the emperor that it was against the tenets of the religious of Brahmin and so it should be stopped.

When people behave against religion and commit sins the government has to suffer it's adverse effects. Hence we request you to stop injustice. Due to unjust and sinful behaviors of the people the king and his subjects will have to suffer miseries there will be lack of rain and famine. So it should be stopped.

Once Machiya Vyas and Gopal Pandya were going to Ujjain from Virnagar. They had passed near chidrup's cave but did not bow their heads. At that time chidrup saw them. He asked them who they are ? , then those vaishnavas gave him their introductions Chidrup rebuked them saying why they were putting on mala of Tulsi even though they were Brahmin. He remarked that the Brahmin should wear Rudrakshamala. He threatened them for taking off that mala. Then those Vaishnavas refused to take out their malas. They were ready to sacrifice their lives for that mala. Chidrup got angry and threatened them and forced them to do so, and he also challenged in excitement that if he would fail in his efforts he would cease to be known as "Chidrup" by name.
Gokuleshji came to know about that threatening declaration. He non-violently gave reply to that threat and he girded his loius to find out the way from that calamity befallen on the auspicious emblem of many vaishnavas.
According to Sanyasi's demand it was declared by beat of drum that no one should put on Tulsimala and do Tilak on their foreheads. The people were also threatened that if they would act against that declaration they would be severely fined and punished.
Gokuleshji came to know about that threatening declaration by vaishnavas. He non-violently reply to that threat and girded his loius to find out the way from that calamity befallen on the auspicious emblems of many vaishnavas. He put new courage into the heart of the vaishnavas. Besides being a man of action was something of an original religious teacher.
On the other hand chidrup spread no pains to harass the vaishnavas. He resorted to attrocite. Once Devabhai Sarania was the staunch follower of Vitthalnathji he used to pass by chidrup's cave many times. He never bowed his head to chidrup. Once chidrup saw him passing without paying his respect so he called Devabhai and told him to give his introduction when Devabhai introducted himself, he was ordered to take out kanthi (Mala). Hearing his order Devabhai boldly replied that Mala is the symbol of our religion and they were ready to sacrifice their heads for its protection. He further told hime with a tone of firmness that he would prefer to die for that mala. Hearing such a reply of Devabhai, Chidrup got excited with anger. He called Hakim Mahmad Taki of that village and ordered him to take out his mala by using physical force. Hakim ordered the elephant keeper to crush Devabhai under elephant's feet. Excited and agitated elephant was brought before him but the elephant ran away from that spot seeing Devabahi standing fearlessly before him. The elephant keeper tried his utmost to persuade the animal to trample him under his feet, but the elephant refrained from doing that heinous act of violence. Who would be able to kill the person whose-protector was God himself.